ANTI-OXIDANT AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF LANTANA CAMARA LEAF EXTRACT IN ALCOHOL-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY

A study on the protective effect of lantana camara leaf extract in acute alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats was evaluated. Rats fed alcohol only produced significant increase in the levels of enzyme markers of tissues damage (ALT, AST and ALP), lipid peroxidation and (TBARS) levels compared to normal control rats. Pretreatment with 200 and 400mg/kg body weight of extract significantly decreased the levels of enzyme markers, lipid peroxidation and markedly increased serum vitamin C level in a dose-dependent manner. Post-treatment with 400mg/kg body weight of extract significantly enhanced the recovery of animals from hepatic damage compared to untreated control. Lipid peroxidation due to oxidative stress could be the possible mechanisms of alcohol induced toxicity and the protective effect of the extract could be as a result of its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation.

Key words: lantana camara, Lipid peroxidation, hepatotoxicity, alcohol induced toxicity